“Daddy” in Focus: Pedro Pascal’s Iconic Roles on HBO Go

It’s also easy to say that the Chilean actor’s claim to fame is playing Joel Miller in the record-breaking HBO Original Series The Last of Us. But long before he became the internet’s newest “Daddy,” Pascal played a range of roles in different TV series and films–notably, the tough and street-smart Javier Pena in Narcos and the perennially masked hero of The Mandalorian.

Let’s talk about Pedro Pascal’s other roles you might have missed, streaming exclusively on HBO Go–powered by PLDT Home Fiber Plus plans.

Oberyn Martell in Game of Thrones (2014)

Pascal played the alluring yet deadly Oberyn Martell in Season 4 of Game of Thrones. The prince was known for his cunning, indomitable combat skills, and carnality. His demise in the series goes down in history as one of the lore's most brutal and horrific deaths.

Pascal portrayed more minor and typically stereotypical Latino roles in TV shows before playing Oberyn. He landed the GOT role–using an iPhone selfie video–through his friend, fellow actor Sarah Paulson (Ocean’s 8), who passed along his audition video to GOT’s showrunner, David Benioff. He described Pascal’s submission as “very amateurish.” Despite its technical quality, “the performance…was intense and believable and just right.”

Watch Oberyn in action in Season 4 of Game of Thrones on HBO Go.

Maxwell Lord in Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)

In this film from the DC Extended Universe, Pascal played the opportunistic TV personality Max Lord, going at odds with Diana Prince/Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot). Through his infomercials, Max uses his power and influence to give people what they truly desired, inevitably driving him to insanity. Eventually, he realizes the extent of the damage he’s caused to the entire world and those closest to him.

The actor was incredulous when he was first offered the role–he’s a self-confessed fan of Patty Jenkins, who directed both Wonder Woman films. In an interview with Variety, he recounted how they worked together briefly on a TV pilot that was never aired. “(I) thought I’d never see her again,” he revealed. “And I didn’t even know she remembered me from that.” Lucky for Pascal, “It turned out to be one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.”

Check out Pascal’s performance as the unhinged Max Lord in Wonder Woman 1984 on HBO Go!

Joel Miller in The Last of Us (2023)

Courtesy of HBO Go

Pascal stars alongside fellow GOT alum Bella Ramsey in the highly-acclaimed videogame adaptation of The Last of Us. Here, he plays Joel, a hardened fugitive tasked to smuggle Ellie (Ramsey) across post-apocalyptic America. The series reveals Joel and Ellie’s relationship and how deeply protective he was of those he cared for–a stark contrast to his cold-blooded and dissociative exterior.

Pascal’s portrayal of Joel instantly turned him into an internet sensation–with fans even calling him “zaddy,” and even fussing over his coffee order.

Fans have also noticed that Pascal was almost always typecast into father roles (he had a son in WW84), but he admitted that it was all a coincidence. “It doesn't go into my conscious decision-making as far as work is concerned,” he shared. “But maybe as far as what I can contribute to the character, it comes from a protective part of me." Thankfully, we’ll get to see more of Pascal as Joel pretty soon, with The Last of Us being renewed for a second season.

While we all wait, you can stream The Last of Us on HBO Go with PLDT Home. You can also catch Making The Last of Us, the exclusive behind-the-scenes documentary!

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